History has been made by a businessman, Dr Bahle Zondo of the insurance company, Amahle Benefits Scheme, who donates R19 million to budding entrepreneurs so that they can develop themselves.
This happened during the company’s 19th anniversary celebration. The event was held at Cecil Emmet, Vryheid, on Saturday afternoon.
Speaking at the event, Zondo said he believes in empowering budding entrepreneurs. He revealed that he has a deep love for agriculture.
He said that this is why emerging farmers will benefit the most from this funding.
”We felt it was very important that we do something to help farmers. We thought it would be better to contribute with the aim of ensuring that we do something to empower black farmers,” he explained.
He said he has no doubt that this funding will go a long way in the development of rural farmers.
“For our 19 years, we have decided to enjoy it by supporting our farmers and other budding entrepreneurs with the help of supporting them,” he said.
The main purpose of this program, he said, is to empower small farmers so that it will also benefit people in rural areas.
“The rural economy can be seen to grow if there are more businessmen who seem to be flourishing,” he explained.
He said that when Amahle founded it, it was an idea to help people with affordable funeralsdown but he also saw the need to bring more help to the people while they were still alive.
“This is where other organizations such as BZ Farming, the Dr Bahle Zondo Foundation and the Bursary Scheme came into being,” said Zondo.
He said that in relation to BZ Farming, he is helping rural people to grow in agriculture, he encouraged young people should not be reluctant to enter agriculture because they cannot make a living and chase away the cat from the hearth.
The businessmen who have benefited here expressed their gratitude for this funding and said that they do not know that it will play a big role in their development.
Mrs Victoria Ngobese who is one of the beneficiaries, said they are very grateful to Zondo because they teach a lot about agriculture. He said Zondo was the one who caused them to have a deep love for this industry.
Mrs. Nomufundo Mcoyi-Zondo of Cebolethu was also present at the event.